Helen Louise Greear

Helen Louise Coleman Greear, 99.5, of Helen, Georgia, passed away on 08/14/2020.

Helen was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1921 to Esther Hahn and George McKenna.

Helen, sister Virginia and their mother moved to Seattle, Washington where Helen earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Washington. She was among the first women to graduate from the UW College of Architecture. Helen met her husband, the late Sol C. Greear, on the US territory of Guam in July of 1948; they married 45 days later in a Quonset hut on Guam. In 1949 Helen and Sol moved to Atlanta to pursue careers and raise a family. Helen worked for Georgia State Board of Education, designing schools and other educational facilities and was one of the first registered women architects in Georgia. In 1972, Helen and husband Sol moved to Sol’s beloved Northeast Georgia Mountains. Helen worked at Pioneer Regional Educational Services Agency (RESA), retiring in 1975. Helen was a multi-talented artist, working in fiber arts, watercolor, colored pencil and pine needle basketry. Her children gave her the nickname “Multi-

Media Mama”. She was fundamental in the formation of the Yonah Mountain Fiber Arts Guild and the Helen Arts and Heritage Center. Helen was an avid and prolific reader. She attended The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection and was the oldest person in the country to complete the Education for Ministry (EfM) program at the age of 85.

Helen is preceded in death by Sol C. Greear (husband), Virginia Fiscus (sister) and Ester Coleman (mother). Helen is survived by sons and their spouses, Sol C. Greear Jr. & Janice P. Greear, Joseph C. Greear & Diane Buch, David W. Greear & Gail P. Greear along with grandchildren, Sol C. Greear III, Hunter C. Greear, Nancy Greear Roe, Emma Greear Autry, Clair Greear Lorenz and seven great grand children. Helen had a kind, gentle spirit, but was determined and accomplished in so many ways. She was greatly loved and will be deeply missed by family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the charity of your choice and spend time with your family. A celebration of Helen’s life will be held at a later date, to be announced.